Thumbs -- Published April 8, 2014

One of the memorable rites of high school - attending a prom - was possible for many in San Joaquin County who otherwise might not have had the opportunity.

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Posted Apr. 8, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Posted Apr. 8, 2014 at 12:01 AM

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One of the memorable rites of high school - attending a prom - was possible for many in San Joaquin County who otherwise might not have had the opportunity.

Praise goes out to Cecilia Berna, a Bear Creek student, whose senior project was "throwing a prom" for special needs students on Saturday. She worked diligently to make sure there was a DJ, food, a photographer and a place to hold the event - The Clarion Inn and Suites on Waterloo Road.

"I have a place in my heart for them," Berna said of the special-needs students.

Praise also goes out to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, a group applying for nonprofit status, that has offered "prom scholarships" to more than 50 girls in the past two years.

The program founder is Jacqueline Faylor.

Very good people doing very good things.

Thumbs up

Gov. Jerry Brown and state water officials keep boring - pun intended - full speed ahead on the twin tunnels proposal, even as more potential problems surface.

An independent panel of experts has determined that the twin tunnels plan is hard to understand, overstates the benefits for fish and is murky in its prediction of an overall positive outcome for the project.

In short, it's a major-league roll of the dice.

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan would include building two 40-foot-wide tunnels to divert water from the Sacramento River past the Delta to the state and federal water pumps near Tracy.

The price tag - $25 billion and sure to go up - is a gamble for a plan that the independent experts state is "highly improved" but still rife with shortcomings.

Thumbs down

Once again, there's evidence that San Joaquin County is filled with forward-thinking people with excellent business acumen.

The San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge once again brought out great ideas. Among them:

» Instant Access IPS, a company run by Mark Coons, is developing a gun safe designed to look like artwork in a frame. Coons received $17,000 in cash and business services.

» Nathaniel Montgomery of Lathrop, who is manufacturing reusable ties (nylon cord loops with a locking slider). He started the business working out of his car. He'll receive $7,000 in cash and business services.

Congratulations to all the winners - and to all who entered the challenge.

Thumbs up

Sharpe Army Depot has been an important part of the federal government and San Joaquin County since the World War II era. That will continue.

The depot will remain open, despite frequent discussion - meaning rumors - that it soon will be shut down.

There have been busy times and lulls at the depot. But its largest employer, the West Coast Distribution Center of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, remains vibrant.

The U.S. General Services Administration did recently issue a timeline for Sharpe's closing (last shipments will leave Sharpe on May 1).

But there's a big difference between scaling back and closing.

Thumbs up

Yes, despite some recent rain, there is a drought.

And, yes, it is serious.

The most recent survey, determined by a network of electronic seniors across the Sierra, shows the snowpack at only 29 percent of normal. The readings were taken before last week's storms, but certainly that wasn't enough to turn the corner.

"Abnormally low" is the descriptor used by officials.

Locally, Stockton is at about 50 percent of normal rainfall so far this year.